Station and method for inserting a component in an assembly to be assembled

Abstract

An insertion station of a component (2), for example a clevis, in a component seat (12) formed in an assembly (3) to be assembled, for example a hinge assembly for doors, includes a component ordering device (14) to order the loose components coming from a component feed hopper. A component support seat (16) receives the component and is configured in such a way as to guide the component in the horizontal insertion direction. A manipulator (20) picks a component (2) from the component ordering device (14) and deposit the component in the component support seat (16). An insertion actuator (30) has a pusher member (32) operable to push the component (2) in the component seat (12), and a positioning unit (40), including an abutment (42) operable to block the assembly (3) in a component insertion position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Method of inserting a component, in a component seat formed in an assembly to be assembled, by an insertion station, the insertion station comprising:
 a support for positioning said assembly to orient the component seat for insertion of the component along a horizontal insertion direction; 
 a component orderer to order loose components coming from a component feed hopper; 
 a component support seat to receive the component and configured to guide the component in said horizontal insertion direction, said support seat being open on a side facing the component seat when the assembly is in a stop zone for the insertion of the component; 
 a manipulator to pick a component from the component orderer and deposit the component in said component support seat; 
 an insertion actuator having a pusher member operable to push the component in the component seat; 
 a positioning unit, comprising a blocker operable to block the assembly in a component insertion position, 
 wherein the positioning unit is placed above the stop zone of the assembly, and wherein the blocker is movable vertically between an inactive raised position and a lowered position of blocking the assembly; the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning said assembly on a support to align the component seat to an end of the support seat and to achieve a substantial continuity between the component seat and the support seat; 
 ordering the loose components coming from the component feed hopper; 
 picking a component and depositing the component in the component support seat with an orientation corresponding to an orientation assumed by the component at the end of the insertion in the component seat; 
 blocking the assembly in the component insertion position; 
 pushing the component along the insertion direction until complete insertion of the component in the component seat. 
 
 
     
     
       2. Method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of aligning the component seat to the component support seat. 
     
     
       3. Method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of guiding the component during insertion in the component seat.